Notice of Intent to Make a Determination

Buffalo River Dene Nation School Bypass Road Relocation - Public Comments invited

January 27, 2025 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Buffalo River Dene Nation School Bypass Road Relocation, to be located on Buffalo River Dene Nation, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by February 26, 2025 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK  S4P 2B6

Telephone: 306-581-3134
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

Proposed Project

Buffalo River Dene Nation (BRDN) is proposing to construct the School Bypass Road Relocation project. There is currently one access road into the main community which extends off Highway 925. The roads into and within the community are graveled. The communities core services including store and fuel station can only be accessed by Chief Pierre Nezaroche St. which runs past the school, daycare, and nearby residences. The large fuel and grocery delivery trucks must drive past the school which presents a safety concern with kids walking to and from school or the playground. This safety concern triggered a need to develop an alternate roadway for heavy trucks to access the delivery locations without driving through a highly pedestrian accessed corridor.  BRDN has identified a potential road alignment that can be accessed prior to the intersection of Dillon Drive and Chief Pierre Nezaroche St. which runs south of the school and later intersects with Chief Felix Sylvester St. This road would bypass a majority of the residential area, school, and playground.

The proposed project involves construction of a new road and intersections with existing roads within non-developed land south of the existing core community. New lighting will be requested from SaskPower to be installed along the roadway to improve visibility. The contractor may have temporary construction facilities and equipment/laydown areas near the site. This may include temporary washroom facilities and temporary power.